Press Releases

ACLU Sues O.C. Sheriff Over Jail Conditions During Pandemic

SANTA ANA — A class action lawsuit was filed against the Orange County sheriff today by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California, the national ACLU Foundation, and the law firm Covington & Burling LLP. The suit seeks to force sheriff Don Barnes and the county to take urge
Issue Areas: Jails Project

Rally to Protest Expansion of OC Jail

SANTA ANA — On Wednesday, a rally will be held by community groups and activists to protest the planned expansion of the county’s James A. Musick Jail Facility. The expansion, projected to cost as much as $203 million according to staff reports, is primarily for a major increase in mental health bed
Issue Areas: Jails Project

California Lawmakers Pass Historic Bill Abolishing Copays in Jails and Prisons

SACRAMENTO — Today, the California Senate voted to pass AB 45, state legislation introduced by Assembly member Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to eliminate copays for medical and dental services provided in California county jails. The bipartisan vote follows the decision by the California Departmen
Issue Areas: Jails Project

Rally to Demand Accountability for Deaths in O.C. Jails

SANTA ANA — A rally calling for transparency and accountability for deaths in Orange County jails will be held Friday, May 31, outside the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) headquarters. The rally comes after the most recent death in OCSD custody — on May 14, Anthony Aceves was found in his
Issue Areas: Jails Project

ACLU Statements on O.C. Sheriff’s Termination of ICE Contract

SANTA ANA — Today, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes announced that his department will terminate its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees at the James A. Musick facility in Irvine and Theo Lacy facility in Orange. In addition, the sheriff announced plans to

ACLU, Community Groups Demand Sheriff Villanueva Fulfill Campaign Promises

LOS ANGELES — Alex Villanueva ran an underdog campaign for Los Angeles County Sheriff, vowing to bring sweeping reforms to the Sheriff's Department if he was elected. He won, much to the joy of many community groups and activists who worked hard for his election at a time pundits gave him no chance